Bachelor of Science in Accounting

With an expected 16 percent increase in accounting jobs between 2010 and 2020, according to a 2012–2013 report from the Bureau of Labor Statistics, enrolling in a Bachelor of Science in Accounting* degree program could be a good idea. While earning your bachelor’s degree in accounting, you’ll explore a range of business disciplines and participate in accounting classes that will help you gain a greater understanding of accounting functions in different industries. Discover how to take control of your future with a Bachelor of Science in Accounting degree online — or on campus, where available.

Certificate options

Now you don’t have to wait until graduation to gain skills that employers find valuable. The certificateoption allows you to move core, job-focused skills toward the front of your degree program and earn certificates to show job competencies.

What you'll learn

The Bachelor of Science in Accounting (BSACC) promotes identification with, and orientation to, the accounting profession and is designed to provide knowledge and skills necessary to an accounting career. In addition to the key accounting course work at the introductory and intermediate levels, critical areas of study including auditing and taxation are required in the program. The importance of ethics and international issues are emphasized throughout the curriculum, along with core competencies in technology and communication. The program utilizes specific accounting problem-solving software to provide students with practical knowledge of the accounting field. The program also addresses the goals of professional values, communications and leadership skills, strategic and critical thinking skills, and technology skills of the professional accounting environment and provides additional coverage on the International Financial Reporting Standards (IFRS). Students are also exposed to varied business disciplines including economics, statistics, law, corporate finance, and marketing to provide the general business overview and context necessary for accounting studies. This program is consistent with generally accepted accounting principles, including the accounting processes and knowledge areas that lead to professional certification.

Make an informed choice

We believe that students and families should be prepared financially for college and understand gainful employment opportunities before starting any program. So we want to ensure you have the information you need to make an informed choice - information like what it will cost, the skills you'll learn through your chosen program, and the types of occupations the program prepares you for.

How to afford your degree

How to get started

Talk with a representative to learn more about the admissions process and choose your degree program.

Each state sets forth standards required to be eligible to take the CPA exam and apply for licensure or certification as a CPA. While this program was designed with consideration for the standards proposed by the National Association of State Boards of Accounting (NASBA), the University of Phoenix cannot, and will not, provide any assurance that completion of this program will allow a successful student to qualify within the student's specific jurisdiction. Potential applicants should check with the appropriate organization within their jurisdiction to determine requirements. States frequently change their requirements for examination. There is no assurance that at the time of degree completion the specific jurisdiction's requirements will be consistent with the requirements at the time of admission.

The requires a minimum of credits, which may come from a combination of required and elective courses.

The curriculum of the Bachelor of Science in Accounting degree program consists of 120 credit hours. To view all the courses you’ll need to complete this degree program, visit our General Education requirements page.

Core courses

Make your work experience count

University of Phoenix allows you to apply relevant learning, work and life experiences to college credits through the Prior Learning Assessment process. Speak with a representative to find out if you can fulfill some elective, interdisciplinary and/or general education courses by going through the PLA process.

Make your enrollment decision easier with our tuition tool

From finding the right college to finding time for your other work and family responsibilities - we know you have a lot on your mind. That's why we offer the tools you need to better understand your financial commitment and the Finance Advisors who can help you understand your options.

Federal Financial Aid Plan

Third-party billing

Under the Third-Party Billing Plan, University of Phoenix directly bills an approved employer for a student's tuition. To find out if your company supports direct bill, speak to your human resources department or one of our advisors.

Need more information?

An advisor can help you review your options and choose the one that’s best for you.

How can I use my Military benefits?

Whether you're serving on Active Duty, are a member of the Reserve or National Guard, or are the spouse of a military member, you're eligible for a reduction in tuition. Our special military tuition rates combined with some of the resources below can help you get started in your pursuit of a degree.

Montgomery GI Bill

Post 9/11 GI Bill

If you're a veteran or military servicemember who served a minimum of 90 combined days on active duty after September 10th, 2001, you may be eligible for Post 9/11 GI benefits.

Active Duty Spouse Benefits

As a military spouse, you may be eligible for financial assistance that can help you pursue your degree.

Benefits of this degree program

Develop in-demand, 21st-century skills.

Throughout the online bachelor’s degree accounting program, you’ll develop a solid foundation in concepts like communication, information systems, reporting, and theory, as well as learn how they relate to business.

Gain knowledge from faculty with working know-how.

University of Phoenix faculty members have work experience in the fields in which they teach, which offers you an insider’s view of what’s happening in the business world.

Experience our 800,000+ member academic social network.

Connect to other ambitious learners through PhoenixConnect®—our academic social network. Here, you can interact with students and faculty, collaborate on projects or simply share ideas with members from all around the country, all from the comfort of your computer.

* While widely available, not all programs are available in all locations or in both online and on-campus formats. Please check with a University Enrollment Representative.

Is this the right program for you?

Talk to a representative who specializes in the Bachelor of Science in Accounting degree to make sure this program fits your specific needs. You can also get to know University of Phoenix by checking out the Phoenix Prep Center.

The Presidents' Alliance

University of Phoenix has joined the Presidents’ Alliance for Excellence in Student Learning and Accountability, which is part of the nonprofit group the New Leadership Alliance. As a volunteer member of the Presidents’ Alliance, we have made a commitment to significantly improve assessment of and accountability for student learning outcomes.

Learning outcomes

To fulfill that commitment and to engage in continuous improvement of programs, University of Phoenix has reported on the learning outcomes for our degree programs, as well as the process of gathering and analyzing the information. Our aim is to share student outcomes to monitor the effectiveness of our programs and enable improvement.

Review the learning outcomes report for the Bachelor of Science in Accounting program.